Wearing seatbelts has been compulsory in South Africa for decades under Regulation 213 of the National Road Traffic Act (1996). This requires seatbelts for drivers and passengers where fitted—typically front seats in most vehicles, and rear seats in newer ones. The driver is responsible for ensuring compliance, especially for children.
Recent online articles from mid-December 2025 claim a “new” law effective December 2025 mandates seatbelts for all occupants (including rear seats and public transport like taxis), with a R500 fine per violation. These stories appear on lesser-known blogs and sites, often with similar wording, and mix in unrelated topics like grants or international news—suggesting possible misinformation or clickbait.
No official sources (e.g., Department of Transport, RTMC, or gov.za sites) confirm any such update to seatbelt regulations or a specific R461 (or R500) fine tied to December 2025. The amount R461 does not appear in any credible reports.
What is happening around December 2025:
- The Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) system is rolling out nationally in phases starting 1 December 2025 (for some municipalities), with full coverage by 2026.
- This modernizes fine processing (administrative rather than criminal for minor offences) and introduces a demerit points system (fully active from September 2026).
- Seatbelt violations remain an existing offence, potentially with standardized fines or discounts under AARTO (e.g., 50% off if paid early), but no evidence of a new mandatory rule or fine increase specifically for seatbelts.
Recommendation for drivers: Always wear seatbelts—front and rear where available—as it’s already law and proven to save lives. For the latest official rules, check sources like arrivealive.co.za, transport.gov.za, or aarto.co.za. Avoid relying on viral social media headlines.